Table-cloth supporter



(No Model) A. R. BISHOP. TABLE CLOTH SUPPORTER.

No. 606,267. Patented June 28,1898.

Fig.2.

THE NORRIS PZTERS 0a., Pno'raummwnumcwn, 04 c4 llivrrn mm ALICE R. BISHOP, OF ATLANTA, INDIANA.

TABLE-CLOTH SUPPORTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 606,267, dated June 28, 1898. Application filed September 27, 1897. Serial No. 658,124. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALIcE R. BISHOP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Tipton and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Table Cloth Supporters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement intable-cloth supporters and decorating-frames for tables, and has for its object to provide a simple and neat device by means of which when placed upon a table the ends of the table-cloth may be supported after being turned thereover for the covering of the articles upon the table, or a separate cover may be thus supported, so as to protect food or dishes from contamination by dust or flies; and a further object of my invention is to provide a ready means for holding decorative material, such as evergreens or flowers, and to so construct such a device as to permit its ready attachment to a table or removal therefrom.

WVith these ends in view this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, the construction and operation will now be described in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in WlllGl1- Figure l is a perspective of a table having my improvement applied thereto, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section showing my improvement supporting a cloth while certain dishes are arranged therebeneath.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied I provide two end frames A,which are here shown as composed of wire twisted close together, and these frames are connected together by means of open-link chains B,which are of a length to adapt the device to the particular table upon which it is to be used.

-Small clasps O are attached to the ends of the chains D,which latter have formed therewith a branch E, diverging from each other and attached at their ends to the end frames,

as clearly shown in Fig. 1. such that they may take a firm hold upon the table-cloth F; but if the holder and decorations carried thereby are of too great a weight to hold it in position small strips of felt or other cloth G may be tacked to each end of the table beneath the table-cloth and the clasps engaged therewith.

A series of scallops or open-work H is secured to each of the end frames, and, if desired, hooks I may also be suspended therefrom, so that evergreens and flowers maybe intertwined within the frames as well as the chains B and also the chains E, thus alf-ordin g a perfect means for decorating the table without interfering with the articles contained thereon.

From this description it will be seen that after the tableware has been placed upon the table the holder may be set in position and suitably decorated or not, as fancy may elect,

' or at any time thereafter should it become desirable to protect the articles upon the table the ends of the table-cloth may be drawn over the holder, by which they will be supported and prevented from coming in direct contact The clasps C are with the articles of food or the tableware, or

should it be'found desirable a separate cloth, as indicated at J, may be utilized for the coving of the articles upon the table, and. when so used it will also be supported by the frames and chains.

Should the supporter be utilized as a decorating-frame, it may remain upon the table while the latter is being used for the ordinary purposes without in anywise interfering with the tableware placed thereon and will produce amost pleasing effect,while keeping much less space than were vases or other holders used.

When my improved supporter is not being utilized, it may be quickly removed from the table, folded into a small compass, and stored away until occasion requires its further use, when, as has been described, it may be quickly adjusted and secured in place.

For Christmas and like occasions it will be found that my improvement is very advantageous and renders doubly pleasing and appetizing the food placed upon the table, while being of great convenience in that the articles upon the table may be covered until ready for use after having been used, as will be readily understood.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and useful is 1. In combination, frames adapted to be supported upon atable, chains connecting the frames, supporting chains secured to said frames, strips of suitable material secured to the table and means carried by the supporting-chains for engaging the strips whereby the frames are supported in an upright position, as and for the purpose described. 1

2. The herein-described combination of the 

